When we tested the 1.4-litre Fiesta in middling Zetec trim recently we awarded it a hefty ‘first drive’ score of 9/10. This got us thinking – had we made the right choice in fully speccing our live-in 1.6-litre version of the Ford supermini?
After all, one of the attributes both share is impressive handling – it means fun can be had at any speed, so the lack of horsepower isn’t felt when nipping around town.
The Zetec is well equipped, with an aux input and leather trimmings dotted around the efficiently laid out cabin, and if our long-termer was purely performing the task of an urban commuter we’d be perfectly happy with this. However, as it is fulfilling the role of a downsizer it needs to be so much more.
And one area where our decision to choose the top of the range Titanium spec is on the motorway, because cruise control comes as standard.
The inclusion of this and the USB point (in addition to the standard aux input) make motorway cruising more acceptable in the little car, although still not ideal.
Of course, the more generously equipped Fiesta comes at a cost – a P11D increase of just over £1000 is the headline figure. However, nigh on identical RVs, emissions in the same 15% tax band and a fuel economy difference of just 1.6mpg means running costs are barely any higher.
Plus, while the bigger 120PS 1.6-litre doesn’t bring total motorway refinement it is infinitely happier sitting at 70mph.
As a standard supermini the lower-powered Fiesta is well deserving of its 9/10 score. But we still feel confident that our top-of-the-range model best eases the transition from life in a bigger car.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
